Martin Riches – Knocking & Turning

Over the course of the past fifty years, Martin Riches has created over sixty kinetic sculptures and sound installations. Born in England and based in Berlin since 1969, Riches’ artistic output has made him a living legend in the world of kinetic sound art. With »Martin Riches: Knocking & Turning«, singuhr — projekte is now delighted to place two Berlin premieres of Riches’ work centre stage, in a double exhibition at Meinblau Project Space and the ACUD Gallery, featuring the installation »Interactive Field« (1999-2004) as well as »Knock on Wood« (2019), a sound installation developed in collaboration with composer Tom Johnson.

Tom Johnson/Martin Riches: Knock on Wood (Meinblau Projet Space)
The installation »Knock on Wood« at Meinblau Project Space consists of five spatially arranged groups of wood percussion instruments which play their own melodies — automatically, simultaneously and completely independently of one another. The varying lengths of the compositions continually yield new combinations of instruments and sonic layers, in a musical flow that is only occasionally interrupted by periods of silence. Johnson’s graphic scores, featuring circular motifs, are also displayed on the walls of the space for closer inspection.

Please visit at ACUD Gallery:
Martin Riches: Interactive Field (ACUD Gallery)
»Interactive Field« at the ACUD Gallery is a pioneering piece in Riches’ series of mecha-sonic ballets. The installation consists of a six-by-six arrangement of black-and-white panels on a table, each set in motion by stepping motors, which simultaneously serve as the sole sources of sound. The repertoire of »Interactive Field« is impressive, ranging from short, jerky movements to dialogically flowing sequences. What’s more: due to its ability to react to guests and their movements at the table, the piece affords viewers the opportunity to engage in a playful, interactive encounter with sound and motion.

Konrad Sprenger: Playing the Sound Box (Sound Performance, ACUD Studio)
The exhibition will also feature an evening of special performances by Konrad Sprenger at ACUD Studio (on Friday, 18 September, at 19:00/20:00/21:00 respectively). The Berlin based musician and composer is known for combining mechanical and electronic elements in many of his works. In this roughly half-hour solo performance, Sprenger will present his computer-controlled multi-channel electric guitar, wherein the strings are made to oscillate using various electronically controlled mechanical processes. In addition, Sprenger will be playing Martin Riches’ »Sound Box« (1985), featuring a windchest built by Riches for the intonation of organ pipes, equipped with 3 pedals and 4 registers, as well as the sound installation »Ein Ton« (1987) for three labial pipes, all tuned to approximately the same low note.

Organised by singuhr e.v.
With funding and support from the Initiative Neue Musik Berlin e.V., Musikfonds, die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien and the Bezirksamt Pankow von Berlin (Amt für Weiterbildung und Kultur, Fachbereich Kunst und Kultur).
Made possible with the friendly support of ACUD MACHT NEU and Meinblau e.V.

Öffnungszeiten
10.09. — 27.09.2020
Wed — Sun 14:00 — 20:00
Admission free of charge

Venues

Meinblau Projektraum
Auf dem Pfefferberg, Haus 5
Christinenstraße 18-19
10119 Berlin

ACUD Galerie/ ACUD Studio
Veteranenstraße 21
10119 Berlin

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOUR VISIT:
– Please be aware that all SARS-CoV-2 public health regulations are in effect for the exhibition.
– A facemask must be worn in order to enter and visit the sites.
– The number of visitors is limited.
– There will be NO VERNISSAGE.